Read The Body In the Vestibule Online
Authors: Katherine Hall Page
The Body In the Vestibule (24 page)
“Does he know where Christophe is? And Valentinaâdid he know about them?” Faith asked.
“He does not know where Christophe is. Nor do we, unfortunately, but with all the police in Europe looking for him, it will not be long. I am convinced his parents had no knowledge of his activities. His mother has gone into seclusion with the younger children at her family house in Normandy and Monsieur d'Ambert is staying here to help us. He is as eager to find his son as we are and perhaps for some of the same reasons.
“Now getting back to Christophe's uncle. He vastly preferred being found by us to being found by his nephew and those he worked for. And yes, he knew about Valentina, has known for a long time. She and Christophe have been lovers for several years.”
Ghislaine gasped. “My poor Dominique and little Berthille, the babies! The boy was completely wild!”
“I do not know who seduced whom. Apparently, it was a very satisfactory arrangement for both and helped Christophe to ease his boredom. He must have recognized quite
soon that Madame Joliet was not the type of neighbor lady who gave you milk and a
biscuit.
Together, they hatched the plan. She because she wanted to give him something to do besides lie in her bed, so he would stay there, and he because he wanted the money. But I am sure Christophe also derived a great deal of pleasure in robbing his parents' friends and his own relatives, and involving their children. Out of luck or trickery, he almost never drew
la courte paille,
the short strawâI believe you, too, have this custom in the United States?”
soon that Madame Joliet was not the type of neighbor lady who gave you milk and a
biscuit.
Together, they hatched the plan. She because she wanted to give him something to do besides lie in her bed, so he would stay there, and he because he wanted the money. But I am sure Christophe also derived a great deal of pleasure in robbing his parents' friends and his own relatives, and involving their children. Out of luck or trickery, he almost never drew
la courte paille,
the short strawâI believe you, too, have this custom in the United States?”
“Yes,” said Tom, “as well as spoiled and disaffected youth like Christophe.”
“But he was more than that,” Faith interjected. “He was a murderer.”
“Yes.” Ravier had been speaking in a light, almost humorous tone. His voice now became deadly serious. “Yes, as he revealed to you, he killed the
clochard
Bernard. We know from Guy d'Ambert that Bernard had discovered the jewelry in the bottom of the shopping bag one night. The others they chose were too far gone or too intent on collecting the hundred francs for delivery, if nothing had been touched, to look. Bernard smelled a rat, or rather something much more appetizing, thought he could get in on the action, and he got killed instead. If Faith had not served her pungent bouillabaisse to you all that night, but some veal, a few vegetables, they would have gotten away with it.
clochard
Bernard. We know from Guy d'Ambert that Bernard had discovered the jewelry in the bottom of the shopping bag one night. The others they chose were too far gone or too intent on collecting the hundred francs for delivery, if nothing had been touched, to look. Bernard smelled a rat, or rather something much more appetizing, thought he could get in on the action, and he got killed instead. If Faith had not served her pungent bouillabaisse to you all that night, but some veal, a few vegetables, they would have gotten away with it.
“Christophe enticed the
clochard
into the vestibule and poisoned him while his uncle, perhaps with Valentina, went to get Christophe's car. Guy had not the stomach to do the actual deed and part of why he is so terrified of his nephew is the exultation he observed on the young man's face after they dumped poor Bernard, almost naked and stone dead, in the Rhône.
clochard
into the vestibule and poisoned him while his uncle, perhaps with Valentina, went to get Christophe's car. Guy had not the stomach to do the actual deed and part of why he is so terrified of his nephew is the exultation he observed on the young man's face after they dumped poor Bernard, almost naked and stone dead, in the Rhône.
“I'm sure they had some few moments of anxiety, but no one believed the crazy, although very-nice-to-look-atâ
yes, this from Martin and PolletâAmerican. Guy posed as the
clochard
for a day or two, one
clochard
appearing much like another, and they thought they were in the clear.
yes, this from Martin and PolletâAmerican. Guy posed as the
clochard
for a day or two, one
clochard
appearing much like another, and they thought they were in the clear.
“Your friend Madame Vincent, by the way, was not sure it was the same
clochard,
either, but unfortunately decided to keep an eye on things rather than go to the police with her suspicions. This is quite a widespread problem in France,” he added sternly.
clochard,
either, but unfortunately decided to keep an eye on things rather than go to the police with her suspicions. This is quite a widespread problem in France,” he added sternly.
“I saw her speak to him shortly before I did. I thought it was odd, since she had made it so clear that she had no sympathy for these people. As to not going to the police, perhaps she wasn't sure they would believe an old lady.” Martin and Pollet's dismissal of what were clear facts still rankled with Faith.
Ravier had the grace to look embarrassed.
“Then why did they kidnap Faith?” Paul asked. “If no one believed her and Madame Vincent had kept quiet?”
“Two reasons and again luck, bad luck, has played a role in all this. I was out of town. Valentina knew I would listen to the story and the story had changed now. She has learned that Madame Fairchild has been in touch with the police and believes the
clochard
who was currently in front of the church to be an imposter,
un faux clochard.
She also hears that Faith believes Marie has been murdered. Valentina takes a cup of tea with Faith and Faith herself reveals I am away and she is trying to get in touch with me. Madame Joliet realizes she must act fast. Again from this Mad Hatter tea party, she knows where Faith will be Saturday morning and sets the wheels in motion.” Pleased with his joke, he turned to the group and grinned like the Cheshire Cat. “We police also read the classics, you know.”
clochard
who was currently in front of the church to be an imposter,
un faux clochard.
She also hears that Faith believes Marie has been murdered. Valentina takes a cup of tea with Faith and Faith herself reveals I am away and she is trying to get in touch with me. Madame Joliet realizes she must act fast. Again from this Mad Hatter tea party, she knows where Faith will be Saturday morning and sets the wheels in motion.” Pleased with his joke, he turned to the group and grinned like the Cheshire Cat. “We police also read the classics, you know.”
“But from what you have been saying, it sounds like Valentina has more resources than a few school kids,” Clement commented, ignoring the allusion to English literature.
“I never liked her. You remember,
mon mari,
I have
often said that to you.” Delphine shook her head vigorously, causing her glasses to rest slightly askew on her long acquiline nose. She pushed them straight with her finger and nudged her husband to pour her another glass of wine.
mon mari,
I have
often said that to you.” Delphine shook her head vigorously, causing her glasses to rest slightly askew on her long acquiline nose. She pushed them straight with her finger and nudged her husband to pour her another glass of wine.
Faith looked at Michel. “This is where Marie and the others come in, right? They were afraid of Valentina. It was Valentina who was controlling their trade.”
“ExactlyâValentina's brothers, to be more precise. They were happy to get their sister's little shipments of trinkets every once in a while and they were, in fact, making a good business legitimately selling paintings, but they liked Ferraris, not Fiats, and as pimps, they operated out of reach of French law, with their devoted sister on the spot to keep the girls in line. Valentina decided the
clochard
had to go; it was her brothers who decided Christophe had to do it, an initiation of sorts. The same with Faith. They wouldn't be bothered to come across the border for such small stuff, but theyâor those in their pay hereâdid Marie. That was meant to be a warning to the women not just here in Lyon but also in Marseille, Avignon, on the Côte d'Azur, and in Paris.”
clochard
had to go; it was her brothers who decided Christophe had to do it, an initiation of sorts. The same with Faith. They wouldn't be bothered to come across the border for such small stuff, but theyâor those in their pay hereâdid Marie. That was meant to be a warning to the women not just here in Lyon but also in Marseille, Avignon, on the Côte d'Azur, and in Paris.”
“Poor Marie.” Faith sighed. “She'd be alive if I hadn't come here.”
“For a year or two, maybe. It was a question of what would get her first, the drugs, SIDA. I don't mean to sound cruel, Faith. Marie had no chance,” Michel said.
Faith disagreed but thought he was probably trying to make her feel better, so kept quiet. Yet she knew what she felt and it would be with her forever.
“I remember now one time when the one with the dog came in for some scraps and Madame Joliet was there. The girl turned as pale as a ghost and left. Later, she returned and I asked her what was wrong and she said she had felt a bit ill. There was no one else in the shop except Delphine, and she does not have this effect on people,” Clément related.
“We have strayed away from the story. You know all the rest. Marie was murdered at the
hôtel de ville
to prevent her meeting with Faith. Valentina was adept at getting information and no doubt knew all about the warnings. We do not know how she learned about Faith's calls to the police, but we are turning everything upside down to find out.” Michel sounded grim.
hôtel de ville
to prevent her meeting with Faith. Valentina was adept at getting information and no doubt knew all about the warnings. We do not know how she learned about Faith's calls to the police, but we are turning everything upside down to find out.” Michel sounded grim.
Paul Leblanc spoke pensively. “We never could figure out why she married Georges. Georges, of course, was crazy for herâthat long hair, those eyes. I'm sure she was the first woman he did not have to pay for and he was very proud of her gallery. But why did she want him? A respectable cover?”
“Perhaps she didn't mind being adored.” Ghislaine smiled. “Few women do.”
Paul grabbed his wife and gave her a lingering kiss that fully illustrated the technique made famous by the French. She emerged blushing furiously.
Michel gave them a long look. “If I may continue?
Bon.
Well, I always thought Valentina was overly ambitious and overly sexed. A good combination if you stay on the side of the law, but for her it wasn't as much fun and I suspect she enjoyed having so much power over others.”
Bon.
Well, I always thought Valentina was overly ambitious and overly sexed. A good combination if you stay on the side of the law, but for her it wasn't as much fun and I suspect she enjoyed having so much power over others.”
“What will Georges Joliet do now?” Delphine asked. “He seems to be trying to conduct his life as usual. He came into the store several times this week for some
steak haché.
Perhaps hamburgers are all he knows how to cook.”
steak haché.
Perhaps hamburgers are all he knows how to cook.”
“He has been at work since Wednesday and we spoke briefly. He doesn't know what to say to Tom and Faith. I think he is writing a letter. I urged him to take a leave, go away for a bit. It hasn't simply been the shock of Valentina's illegal activities, enormous as it is, but that she was sleeping with the boy down the hallâand no doubt others.”
Faith had a brilliant idea. “I have the perfect place for him to go. A political retreat to natureâClotilde's and Frédéric's in the Cévennes! Clotilde will feed him wonderful
meals and they can all sit around reminiscing about the glorious past. He can help them with their work and feel useful.”
meals and they can all sit around reminiscing about the glorious past. He can help them with their work and feel useful.”
Tom laughed. “Then settle there himself, become the next mayor of the nearest village, marry one of the local farmers' daughters, have ten children, and live happily ever after.”
“You've got it,” she declared.
“Faith would be very useful here in France,” Michel remarked.
“But you mention children and now Adele will discover how many she will have with Jean-Jacques. Look at the head table; they are about to begin,” Delphine said.
France and the French were associated with
l'amour
and romance, yet Faith had found what characterized the country best was pragmatismâa basic sensibility, besides that sensitivity. So, an eminently practical custom such as whatever she was about to observe did not surprise her.
l'amour
and romance, yet Faith had found what characterized the country best was pragmatismâa basic sensibility, besides that sensitivity. So, an eminently practical custom such as whatever she was about to observe did not surprise her.
A large stew pot was placed in front of the young couple and they dipped their forks in. “It's the
salmis de pintades,
the next course,” Delphine explained. “They feed each other tidbits and we count the number of bites. That will be the number of babies.”
salmis de pintades,
the next course,” Delphine explained. “They feed each other tidbits and we count the number of bites. That will be the number of babies.”
“So simple,” Tom murmured to Faith, and counted out loud with the rest of the room as the couple consumed the morsels of guinea hen in the rich sauce.
“Huit,
eight. Quite a family.” He beamed.
“Huit,
eight. Quite a family.” He beamed.
“I know what you're thinking, Thomas Fairchild, and even if we'd had this at our nuptials, there is such a thing as shutting one's mouth.” Tom was of the “more children the merrier” school and Faith of the “merry for whom” one.
Delphine had been listening to their conversation. “I don't think they plan to have eight, although who knows? They are making a joke that they have to stop, because the
book you get from the priest when you marry only has a place to list eight and they would run out of room.”
book you get from the priest when you marry only has a place to list eight and they would run out of room.”
After this, courses kept arrivingâplatters of vegetables with a filet of Charolais beef, those pretty white animals that looked so perfect against the various shades of green and yellow in the French countrysideâa Barbizon painting come to life.
The dancing became even more energetic, the music faster, the hall warmer. Couples continued to whirl below them, with the exception of the bride's mother, who danced the same slow, stately waltz step to everything, no matter who the partner or what the tempo. Her bright blue silk dress remained unwrinkled, not a drop of sweat on her brow. Between dances, she was everywhereâin and out of the kitchen, overseeing the preparations, and up and down the aisles between the tables, a smiling martinet making sure the troops were having a good time. And they were.
Faith couldn't eat another thing, but the next course,
“Le délice de l'escargot,
” the snail's delight, was intriguing. She turned to Michel Ravier. “Have you ever had this before?” She'd never seen it on any menu or in any of her cookbooks.
“Le délice de l'escargot,
” the snail's delight, was intriguing. She turned to Michel Ravier. “Have you ever had this before?” She'd never seen it on any menu or in any of her cookbooks.
“Many times and so have you; however, only at functions like these do we find it done so well.”
It was saladâof course.
Meanwhile, the entire party prepared to take a walk. They piled into any car available, drove to a nearby lake, strolled around the circumference, and returned for cheese, more wine, more dancing, and eventually the
pièces montées
displayed in all their glory on a table outside the kitchen. These were mountains of tiny cream puffs, stuck together with caramelized sugar, graced on each summit with sugared almonds and a tiny bride and groomâvintage 1940, by the style of dress.
pièces montées
displayed in all their glory on a table outside the kitchen. These were mountains of tiny cream puffs, stuck together with caramelized sugar, graced on each summit with sugared almonds and a tiny bride and groomâvintage 1940, by the style of dress.
The evening was wonderful. Tom made a lovely sentimental toast to the newlyweds, and almost everyone and
everything else in France. Faith danced with her husband, her son, the bride's mother, and finally shared a tango with the good inspector that left her more than a little breathless. She was going to miss that man.
everything else in France. Faith danced with her husband, her son, the bride's mother, and finally shared a tango with the good inspector that left her more than a little breathless. She was going to miss that man.
At two o'clock in the morning, just before the onion soup was served to tide the guests over to breakfast, Faith turned to Tom and said, “Let's go to bed.”
“Great idea, but I may be too tired.” He sighed.
The farewells took a long time and their cheeks were rosy from being kissed so heartily. They collected Ben from the pile of coats where he had been sleeping for some time under the watchful eyes of four very old ladies who had been supervising the dancing, tapping their toes in time to the beat of the music and their own conversation, which had continued without pause all evening.
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